Betrayer

Betrayer (2001-present) is a Thrash Metal band from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

D

reams, determination, hard work and luck are the tools that all indie bands have to work with. Shawn Herbert (a.k.a. Shawn Christopher Alphonse Sebastien Herbert-Bastien; drums) and Jeff Klingbeil (vocals/guitar) met in the summer of 1996 and became friends. After some trials with several musicians, Ryan Clifford and Brian Blais became the choices to fill the guitar and bass spots respectively. Originally called Cornerstone, this incarnation of the band would complete the first versions of the tracks Wretched Ways, Fire To The Coals and Descendants Of Death. Their first gig in Harrow, Ontario broke attendance records.

A year later, however, Blais would leave to pursue his interest in drums with another band. A month later, Clifford would leave because of his work schedule. The spots would not be vacant long for Vince Manzerolle moved in on bass with Warren Rawlins taking up guitar. Naming conflicts would also force them to change their name to Swarm where they'd release a one-off self-titled demo in 1998.

Norm Michaud (bass) joined in March of 1999 after standing in for the incumbent for a one-night gig. That summer they would enter Glen Fricker's Spectre Sound Studios to record a three-track demo. That fall, however, Rawlins decided to part ways with Swarm who continued on as a power trio.

By late 1999 however, the band's naming issues hadn't ended with another forced name change due to Swarm already being used; this time Betrayer - a name that promotes the revolution against trends and demonstrate their determination was chosen. In the summer of 2000 they re-entered the studio to publish their debut, Rusted Icons, with marketing consultant and web designer Mark Wolf becoming a honorary band member by promoting the hell out of them. Sold out stores and shows in their hometown of Windsor, Ontario followed. 'S&M Music' would receive the manufacturing license until early 2002 when the band went independent again. In February of 2001 guitarist Bill Lozon joined to relieve pressure from the overworked Klingbeil. Their debut album was an excellent affair! It came across as a new version of classic Megadeth with high quality old school Thrash and excellent production, much in the style of the aforementioned Megadeth and Metallica. The album was picked up by 'Diskery' for international exposure. Shadowed Force EP followed in 2005 with the self-titled work following in 2012.